Picture this: You’re going through your Instagram DMs for some reason. Maybe you want to take a trip down memory lane, or you want to catch up with some long-lost friend in the DMs again; whatever it is. You’re scrolling through and suddenly come upon a conversation with “Instagram User.” This person has no profile picture and basically
The first thing you might wonder is “Aren’t we all Instagram users?” but don’t worry too much about it. There are a few reasons why the generic Instagram User would be hanging out in your DMs. Let’s check them out.
What Does It Mean When It Says Instagram User in Dms?
The first thing you should know is that the Instagram User in your DMs was initially one of your friends. Instagram removed all their information and replaced it with the generic Instagram User term when one of these four scenarios occurs.
- The friend has deactivated their account.
- The user has deleted their account.
- The user has blocked you.
- Instagram has banned their account for violating regulations.
We’ll take a few of these scenarios in this article.
The User Has Deactivated Their Account
Your friend may want to step away from the stress and excitement of social media for a while. This could be to focus on some important business or to undergo a digital detox. This person knows that they wouldn’t be using their account for an extended period, yet they still have plans to return, They may resort to deactivation.
Instagram removes the username of deactivated accounts, replacing it with Instagram User, and temporarily hides all their content. These are all easily retrieved whenever the individual logs back in.
The User Has Deleted Their Account
This is a more permanent situation. If the user has decided not to return to Instagram ever again, they can go for the deletion option. This deletes everything on the profile, including posts, tags, likes, and all other activity permanently.
In this instance, there’s no going back. That account is gone for good and if the user wishes to return, they’d have to start with a new account.
The User Has Blocked You
When you’re blocked on Instagram by a friend, their username is also changed to Instagram User. The information on their profile is also removed, and you can’t send any DMs to that person.
However, the difference is that all these changes would only apply to you. Another user would have no problem accessing all the information they need on the profile. So you can use that to your advantage.
Ask a friend to search for the user on Instagram and check the results. If they can see the profile and you can’t, that may point to a block.
The User Has Been Banned From Instagram
Instagram has certain rules that accounts are meant to follow to be able to use their services. Any account that defaults to these rules is banned from the platform. These bans are usually temporary, but permanent bans are possible for heavier or repeat infractions.
These bans would leave your friend’s profile with the Instagram User title but don’t fret, they don’t usually last long.
With this article, you should now be aware of what may cause a friend’s username to change to Instagram User in the DMs. So, you can rest easy when next you see it. Good luck!
